Providing schizophrenic metal dispersed with kitschy samples from classic action movie dialogues, California's Graf Orlock (taking their name from the villain in NOSFERATU) have made their own sub-genre: Hollywood grindcore. Fear not, purveyors of punishment, these guys are as visceral and vicious as it gets, as unlike Tinseltown, there's nary a sign of silicone to gawk at here. Instead, we get teeming hunks of abrasive hardcore, unforgiving blasts of grind, and a relentless highlight reel of movie dialogue that ties the whole thing together. While other bands may employ these tricks, no one comes close to laying it down with the crushing conviction of Graf Orlock. www.level-plane.com
- Mike SOS